The 15 Best Sandbox Games

You'd be hard-pressed to compile a list of the best sandbox games without including Minecraft. The blocky phenomenon has become synonymous with open-ended creativity since its indie debut in 2011. Allowing players to build anything they can imagine, Minecraft established a new paradigm for emergent gameplay and sandbox mechanics. Over a decade after its release, Mojang's masterpiece remains one of the most influential and essential sandbox games, propelling the genre forward for a new generation of virtual architects and explorers.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim cemented Bethesda's reputation for unparalleled open-world roleplaying. Building on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's expansive kingdom and Fallout 3's post-apocalyptic playgrounds, Skyrim perfected the studio's signature sandbox formula. From snow-capped peaks to dark dwarven ruins, Skyrim's sublime world design and unbridled freedom created an unmatched fantasy epic that still awes and inspires. Over a decade after its launch, Skyrim remains the gold standard for open-ended RPGs, a towering masterpiece that new sandbox games still struggle to surpass.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes everything that made Breath of the Wild a masterpiece and raises the bar even higher. Building on the first game's physics-driven sandbox gameplay and awe-inspiring open world, Tears adds crafting and construction to Link's toolkit. Though Breath of the Wild told a more somber tale, Tears of the Kingdom returns to the colorful adventure and uplifting spirit the Legend of Zelda series is known for. By evolving the groundbreaking formula of its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom shows that the iconic franchise still has plenty of surprises left after over 30 years, especially after its move to sandbox gameplay with Breath of the Wild.

Crusader Kings III masterfully modernizes Paradox's distinctive brand of dynasty simulator. Building on the intrigue and complexity of past games, CKIII adds even more ways to scheme, spy, and backstab your way to the top. Whether you ruthlessly plot against foes or rule with justice and honor, guiding your noble house through history has never been more addictively engrossing. With welcoming tutorials and polished UI, Crusader Kings III makes the intricate grand strategy accessible for new fans while giving veterans the most richly detailed sandbox yet to build a legacy that will echo through the ages.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord builds upon the medieval warfare and strategy that made its predecessors cult classics. Set in a sprawling sandbox fantasy realm, Bannerlord stands out through its visceral melee combat and deep RPG progression, setting it apart from the grand strategy of Crusaders Kings III despite sharing a similar setting. Whether you start as a humble mercenary or aspire to found your own kingdom, the road to glory requires mastering combat, diplomacy, and leadership. With satisfying battles and an enormous world full of adventures to discover, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an essential pick for players craving sandbox conquest on a grand scale.

No Man's Sky shows that the vastness of space is a perfect canvas for sandbox gameplay. Despite a rocky launch that didn't live up to the hype, Hello Games' ambitious title has redeemed itself through major updates to deliver the enthralling interstellar adventure players were promised. With near-limitless planets to explore, crafting mechanics, base building, and more added post-release, No Man's Sky has transformed into an immersive sci-fi sandbox where you can traverse the stars at your own pace. For those seeking the freedom of an entire galaxy to discover, No Man's Sky's redemption is complete and its over 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets now provide one of gaming's ultimate playgrounds.

Like No Man's Sky, Starfield proves that space is a boundless canvas for sandbox gameplay. Bethesda's galactic RPG delivers their signature open-world formula across an entire galaxy, filled with places to explore, factions to join, and adventures to undertake. While it doesn't revolutionize the genre like Skyrim, Starfield allows players immense freedom to chart their own path as a spacefaring mercenary, trader, or explorer. With procedurally generated worlds and handcrafted storytelling, Starfield offers an incredibly vast and detailed sci-fi universe to get lost in, even if it's not the most groundbreaking.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is undisputably the definitive sandbox western, as Rockstar's jaw-dropping prequel allows you to live the outlaw life across an astonishingly detailed Old West open world. With unparalleled worldbuilding, a compelling story, and endless frontier activities, Red Dead Redemption 2 lets players get lost in the West like never before. Whether you follow the winding story or just want to explore the countryside, Red Dead Redemption 2 provides a rough and lived-in Old West sandbox playground that is sure to immerse. Few games manage to truly transport players to another time and place like Rockstar's epic magnum opus.

While not as narrative-driven as Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto V delivers the unrestrained open-world mayhem the blockbuster franchise is known for. As psychotic Trevor, indifferent Michael, or rookie Franklin, players have the virtual city of Los Santos as their criminal playground. GTA V captures the signature sandbox freedom of earlier entries, with outrageous player-driven chaos at every corner. And with GTA VI and its return to Vice City on the horizon, the groundbreaking franchise looks to continue to push sandbox gameplay to new heights in its latest outing.

As one of the original sandbox innovations, Garry's Mod established many of the genre's defining traits. By repurposing Valve's Source engine into an open-ended physics playground, Garry Newman created a literal modding sandbox. With countless community creations over the years, Garry's Mod empowers players to experiment with everything from absurd ragdoll comedy to complex machinery. Both influential and eternally fun, Garry's Mod remains a staple sandbox game that no fan of the genre's library is complete without.

The Sims 4 is the ultimate virtual life simulator, providing endless creative potential for wholesome play or hilarious mischief. While you can build dream homes and pursue idyllic careers and relationships, part of the fun is unraveling your Sims' lives through playful calamity. From trapping Sims in rooms to igniting kitchen fires, the series allows you to unleash your deviant side if you want to. With its deep customization options, The Sims 4 offers the most comprehensive sandbox yet for unleashing your imagination, whether you prefer peaceful suburbs or comedic pandemonium.

Stardew Valley proves you don't need a massive open world to create an engrossing sandbox game. By providing a rich set of tools and absolute freedom in how to run your quaint farm, Stardew Valley brilliantly evokes the spirit of Harvest Moon. Between farming, fishing, mining, and relationship-building, players have endless options to make this valley community their own. Stardew Valley perfectly balances directionless freedom with just enough structure to ensure there's always something new to discover in its slice-of-life world.

Just Cause 4 truly lives up to its name, providing endless tools for unchecked destruction with few rules to constrain the chaos. From wingsuits to weather control to customizable grappling hooks, Rico's high-powered arsenal lets players weaponize creativity itself. While the story provides some direction, the real joy is in mastering Rico's abilities to wreak beautifully orchestrated havoc across the massive South American landscape. For sheer mayhem and emergent gameplay, few sandboxes can compete with the explosive freedom of Just Cause 4.

Arriving at the onset of the pandemic, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a perfectly timed island getaway at just the right time. By granting total freedom to shape your ideal island community, New Horizons created a soothing sandbox escape. Between decorating your home, customizing the landscape, and building relationships with quirky villagers, New Horizons offered endless zen activities. As real-world lockdowns persisted, this charming simulator created the ultimate sandbox for unwinding and expressing creativity during stressful times.

Like Minecraft, Terraria is a sandbox game pillar that helped establish the genre's conventions. By blending action-packed combat and crafting within randomly generated worlds, Terraria carved its own identity. Whether delving into ever-dangerous depths or building grand structures above ground, players have endless goals to pursue at their own pace. With intuitive creation tools and awe-inspiring boss battles, Terraria remains a timeless sandbox experience that every fan of the genre should enjoy.